logo
11 fascinating facts about snakes and 5 common myths you probably still believe

11 fascinating facts about snakes and 5 common myths you probably still believe

Time of India5 days ago
Snakes have captivated human imagination for centuries, often depicted as symbols of danger or evil. But much of what people believe about these reptiles is rooted in myth, not science.
Despite their fearsome reputation, snakes play a vital ecological role—from controlling pests to balancing food chains. Across cultures and media, they're portrayed as mysterious or menacing, but the truth is far more fascinating. Some species can glide, others 'see' with heat-sensing pits, and most aren't venomous at all. Understanding how snakes behave and their importance in ecosystems can turn fear into appreciation.
Here are 11 surprising facts about snakes—along with two popular myths that deserve to be shed, just like a snake's skin.
11
surprising facts about snakes
that will change how you see them
Snakes evolved from four-legged lizards
Snakes didn't start out limbless. They evolved from lizard-like ancestors with legs over 100 million years ago. As they adapted to underground or aquatic environments, their limbs gradually disappeared. Fossils like Najash rionegrina show early snakes with small but functional back legs. Even today, boas and pythons still carry tiny leg spurs, a remnant of their evolutionary past.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication
Planet Spark
Learn More
Undo
They don't 'unhinge' their jaws
It's a myth that snakes 'unhinge' or dislocate their jaws to eat. Instead, their skulls are built for extreme flexibility. Their lower jaws are connected by stretchy ligaments and movable bones, letting them swallow prey much larger than their heads. Thanks to this design, large pythons can devour animals as big as antelope—without ever 'unhinging' anything.
Not all snakes lay eggs
Around 30% of snake species give birth to live young. Boas, garter snakes, and many vipers don't lay eggs—instead, they carry developing embryos inside their bodies.
Even egg-layers like pythons sometimes display maternal behaviors, such as coiling around their eggs and generating heat to incubate them. King cobras go further, building nests and guarding them until the eggs hatch.
They have incredible senses
Snakes are built to sense their environment in extraordinary ways. They use their forked tongues to pick up scent particles and 'taste' the air, transferring chemical data to the Jacobson's organ in their mouths.
Some snakes—like vipers and pythons—also have heat-sensing pits, giving them the ability to 'see' warm-blooded prey in total darkness. In the ocean, sea snakes use pressure-sensitive organs to detect tiny water movements made by nearby fish.
Snake venom is a precision tool and a medical treasure
Snake venom is not just dangerous—it's highly specialized for hunting and digestion. Some species use hemotoxins that break down tissue, while others, like cobras, produce neurotoxins to paralyze prey.
This biochemical weapon has also inspired life-saving medicines. ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure, for example, were developed from Brazilian pit viper venom. Scientists are now exploring venom compounds for treating cancer, strokes, and chronic pain.
Snakes are ancient and amazingly diverse
With over 3,900 known species, snakes have colonized almost every environment on Earth—from deserts and rainforests to oceans. They survived the dinosaur extinction and have been around for more than 100 million years.
But snake populations are declining due to habitat loss and human persecution. Their role as both predator and prey means losing them could cause ecological imbalance, such as rodent population booms and crop damage.
Some snakes can go months (even years) without eating
Snakes are masters of energy conservation. Large snakes like pythons can go for months—or even a year—without food after a large meal. They lower their metabolism dramatically and shrink their digestive organs to conserve energy.
When food returns, their systems re-activate quickly, allowing them to digest large prey efficiently. This adaptation makes them well-suited to unpredictable environments.
Snakes can't hear like humans
Snakes don't have external ears, so they can't hear airborne sounds the way we do. Instead, they detect vibrations through their jawbones, allowing them to 'feel' movements around them—especially useful for detecting predators or prey.
When you see a cobra 'dancing' to a snake charmer's flute, it's not responding to the music—it's reacting to visual cues and vibrations in the ground.
They have hundreds of vertebrae
Snakes may be limbless, but their skeletons are complex. Most species have 200–400 vertebrae, each paired with ribs. This design gives snakes their incredible flexibility and strength. Different movement styles—like sidewinding, concertina motion, or straight-line crawling—are made possible by this ingenious structure and the muscles that control each segment.
Snakes do not chase humans
One of the most common myths is that snakes will chase people. This simply isn't true. Snakes prefer avoidance over confrontation, and what looks like 'chasing' is usually the snake trying to escape along the same path you're on. Most snake bites happen when people try to kill or handle snakes, not because snakes are attacking. Knowing this can help prevent panic and promote safe, respectful encounters in nature.
Snakes are essential to ecosystems
Snakes play a critical role in maintaining balance in nature.
They help control populations of pests—like rats and mice—that damage crops and spread disease. Just one rat snake can eat hundreds of rodents a year. They're also an important food source for owls, hawks, and other predators. And by preying on the sick or weak, snakes help reduce disease transmission within prey species.
5
myths about snakes
you have probably believed until now
MYTH #1: Snakes are slimy
Snake skin may look slick, but it's completely dry. Their scales are made of keratin, the same material in our nails and hair.
The texture feels more like soft leather than anything wet or slimy. This myth likely comes from confusing snakes with amphibians like frogs, whose skin actually is moist and slimy.
MYTH #2: Most snakes are dangerous
Only about 15% of snake species are venomous, and just 5% are dangerous to humans. In the U.S., fewer than five people die from snakebites annually—bee stings and lightning strikes are far more deadly. Most snakes are shy and will only bite when threatened.
Understanding which species are truly dangerous—and giving them space—is smarter than fearing all snakes equally.
MYTH #3: Snakes chase humans
Snakes do not actively chase people. When one seems to be "chasing" you, it's likely trying to escape in the same direction or is startled and disoriented. Unlike predators, snakes have no reason to pursue humans—they lack the intelligence or intent to stalk prey that large.
MYTH #4: Baby snakes are more venomous than adults
While some believe young snakes are more dangerous because they "can't control their venom," this isn't backed by solid science.
Adult snakes have larger venom glands and more control over venom delivery, making them potentially more dangerous. Baby snakes can still bite, but they are not "deadlier."
MYTH #5: All snakes lay eggs
Not all snakes are egg-layers. Many species, especially in colder climates, give birth to live young. This includes rattlesnakes, boas, and garter snakes. These live-bearing species have evolved to protect their young from environmental extremes, proving snakes are more diverse than commonly thought.
Also Read |
Dolphins vs Anaconda? Playful Amazon moment stuns scientists and redefining the understanding of wildlife behaviour
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Int'l genetic study predicts childhood obesity risk using Indian data
Int'l genetic study predicts childhood obesity risk using Indian data

Time of India

time42 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Int'l genetic study predicts childhood obesity risk using Indian data

Cleared: dk Hyderabad: In a major study, an international team of over 600 scientists from 500 institutions developed a genetic test — polygenic risk score (PRS) — which can predict adult obesity as early as age five. The study analysed data from over five million (50 lakh) individuals worldwide, with significant representation from India. Scientists from city-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) played a key role in characterising the genomes of Indian individuals, including those monitored for diabetes over the long term. The south Asian data shaped PRS, making the findings especially relevant to the Indian context, where obesity-related disorders like diabetes and cardiovascular disease are on the rise. The tool, shown to be twice as effective as previous models, offers the potential for early lifestyle interventions in genetically high-risk children. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad CCMB researchers on Tuesday said that obesity increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, poor bone health, reproductive problems, and cancers. Scientists worldwide worked with the largest and most diverse genetic dataset ever assembled, which included genetic data from the GIANT consortium and the consumer DNA testing company 23andMe. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo In a statement, CCMB said: "The PRS discovery could help identify children and adolescents already at higher genetic risk of developing obesity, who could benefit from targeted preventative strategies such as lifestyle interventions at a younger age. Additionally, this score is twice as effective as the previous best test at predicting a person's risk of developing obesity." "What makes the score so powerful is its ability to predict, around the age of five, whether a child is likely to develop obesity in adulthood — well before other risk factors start to shape their weight later in childhood. Intervening at this point can have a huge impact," University of Copenhagen's NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) assistant professor Roelof Smit, who is the lead author of the research published in the journal 'Nature Medicine', said. Indian Representation in the Study The pattern of obesity in India differs notably from that in Europe, with Indians tending to have more central (abdominal) obesity. Earlier studies by Dr Giriraj Ratan Chandak at CCMB showed that the genetic basis of non-communicable diseases varies significantly between Indians and Europeans. In the latest study, researchers at CCMB, led by Dr Chandak, characterised the genomes of the Indian population, including individuals with diabetes as well as those with normal blood glucose levels. These individuals were followed for nearly 20 years, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the genetic basis of obesity in Indians. Several obesity-associated genetic changes were identified and used to develop PRS for Indians, effectively creating a "virtual individual" to model obesity risk. The Indian data served as a representative subset for the South Asian population in the global study, making the findings more applicable to India and neighbouring countries. The researchers also examined the link between a person's genetic risk of obesity and the effectiveness of lifestyle-based weight-loss interventions, such as diet and exercise. They found that individuals with a higher genetic risk of obesity responded better to interventions — but also tended to regain weight more quickly once those interventions ended. The study further highlights the role of population ancestry in predicting obesity risk. Despite using a globally representative dataset, PRS performed more accurately in individuals of European ancestry than in those of other ancestries, including South Asians. Many gene variants associated with obesity in Europeans do not have the same effect in Indians, reflecting the unique pattern of obesity observed in the Indian population. "The observations made in this study are consistent with our earlier findings," Dr Chandak noted.

Space Force general says US can now build 'space-based' missile defense system
Space Force general says US can now build 'space-based' missile defense system

Time of India

time3 hours ago

  • Time of India

Space Force general says US can now build 'space-based' missile defense system

A top US Space Force general says the United States now possesses the technological capability to develop a space-based missile defense system , calling the long-envisioned concept "ready to be realized." General Michael Guetlein , Vice Chief of Space Operations and newly appointed head of the Golden Dome program, declared this week that every core element required to build and deploy space-based interceptors already exists. Speaking at the Innovate Space: Global Economic Summit on July 22, hosted at Amazon 's corporate headquarters, Guetlein said the US has reached a turning point. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Technology Product Management PGDM others Management Data Science MBA Artificial Intelligence Design Thinking Data Science CXO Healthcare Cybersecurity Public Policy Data Analytics Operations Management Others MCA Digital Marketing Finance Project Management Degree Leadership healthcare Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details 'I firmly believe that the technology we need to deliver Golden Dome exists today,' Guetlein told attendees. 'It has just never been brought to bear on this problem set to protect the homeland, nor has it been brought to bear in this form factor.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 6 Ways Retirees Can Potentially Minimize RMD Taxes SmartAsset Learn More Undo A modern answer to an old vision Golden Dome is the Trump administration's flagship missile defense initiative aimed at intercepting hypersonic, cruise, and ballistic missiles from space. Though such a system has never been deployed, the idea has historical roots: President Ronald Reagan's 1983 Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) proposed similar space-based defenses, which were criticized at the time as technologically unfeasible. Live Events Four decades later, Guetlein insists the difference is clear: the science is no longer speculative. Technological readiness vs organizational challenges While Guetlein expressed confidence in the technological readiness of Golden Dome, he also acknowledged that building the system will require a major cultural and structural shift within the US defense community. 'How do I take capabilities that were built in stovepipes for different mission areas, amongst different services and agencies, and bring those together into an integrated architecture?' he asked. He pointed to long-standing silos between military branches and defense contractors that have hindered coordination, saying that resolving these barriers is now a key priority. Guetlein drew from his experience in the Air Force to explain the shift. 'Historically, there was a reluctance to share sensitive information with commercial industry. But now, with the Space Force increasingly turning to private partners for cutting-edge capabilities, that mindset is changing.' 'Space is too big for the Space Force to go it alone,' he said. A broader shift in military strategy Guetlein's remarks align with recent statements by other Space Force leaders. General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, told the annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs that leveraging innovation from the private sector would be critical to US security in space. 'We must harness the benefits of technological innovation and emerging capabilities if we're going to out-compete our competitors,' Saltzman said. 'Historically, military success has hinged on support from commercial industry.'

Black worm disease affecting coconut plantations in Mys, Chamarajanagar districts
Black worm disease affecting coconut plantations in Mys, Chamarajanagar districts

Time of India

time4 hours ago

  • Time of India

Black worm disease affecting coconut plantations in Mys, Chamarajanagar districts

Mysuru: The "black worm disease" in coconut trees, also known as black-headed leaf-eating caterpillar disease, has affected growers in the twin districts of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar. This comes at a time when farmers are fetching decent prices for coconut and tender coconut crops. A large number of farmers are cultivating coconut in the twin districts, covering nearly 19,793 hectares, including 12,617 hectares in Chamarajanagar district. According to sources, about 4,679 hectares of coconut palms were affected by the disease. Farmers in Santhemarahalli, various villages of Hanur, Gundlupet taluk in Chamarajanagar district, and villages in T Narasipura, HD Kote, and Nanjangud taluks in Mysuru district were the worst sufferers. Even though the farmers are spraying pesticides and insecticides using drones, both manual and machine sprayers, the disease is not coming under control and is affecting the yield. The disease is spreading from one farm to another rapidly, even after pesticide and insecticide spraying. Scientists at Chamarajanagar Krishi Vigyan Kendra suggested that farmers adopt integrated pest management practices, including biological control and using neem-based pesticides. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo They said this pest is prevalent in coconut-growing areas both in coastal and inland regions of the state. Releasing beneficial insects like parasitoids, such as Goniozus nephantidis, to coconut trees can help control the caterpillar population in coconut-growing areas. Chamarajanagar deputy director of horticulture, Shivaprasad, said that the department has regularly undertaken awareness drives for coconut growers and initiated measures to control this pest. This caterpillar pest causes damage by creating silken galleries on leaves and consuming the green tissue, which reduces the tree's ability to photosynthesize. Massive infestation leads to defoliation and coconut palm death. The entire plantation looks scorched by this infestation, he said. "As agriculture and horticulture cultivation crops like coconut are the mainstay for most of the people in the twin districts, eking out a living, the govt must initiate all measures to prevent the spread of the disease," said Attahalli Devaraj, Mysuru District Farmers Federation vice-president.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store